December 13, 2021
Today in 1962, the communications satellite Relay 1 was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Relay 1 was used to transmit telephone, television, teleprinter, and facsimile signals globally. Unfortunately, the leakage of a high-power regulator caused the satellite to revert to a low voltage state and communication was lost with the craft in February 1965.
Prototype of the Relay 1 Communications Satellite (A19670216000) in the Space Hanger at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, May 7, 2019. Credit: Smithsonian/Mark Avino